Page 24 of Zalis
“There. We’re married,” she said, passing the tablet back.
If Zalis felt some sort of way about their surprise relationship, he kept it to himself.
ZALIS
A mate. He had a mate.
When Kalen released them from Medical, he shot down the corridor, his pace quick and his posture stiff. He needed to share the news with his parents. His mother, Lyresh, would be overjoyed and ask questions he honestly did not know the answer to. What is Gemma’s favorite color? Flower? Scent? Food? All vital information she would demand to prepare a welcoming gift.
Perhaps a call to his parents could wait, at least until he could answer basic questions about Gemma.
He needed tea for the mating ceremony. And tea cups. And quarters that were suitable for a female, not his cramped and cluttered cabin. The mental list of supplies grew and spun out of control. The quarters to be assigned to him and Gemma would be furnished with the tea and necessary supplies, which took those items off the list.
Warriors never had more than a few hours’ notification that they had been matched to a mate. Zalis’ situation was not unique. While Gemma was in Medical, he could have used the time to make preparations. Faced with the options of leaving her with strangers or making a poor impression, he stayed by her side.
The communication unit on his wrist vibrated with their newly assigned quarters. Helpful arrows appeared on the wall, guiding his path.
At least one task was taken care of.
“Hold up,” his mate called from behind. “I’m a slowpoke in this boot.”
Shame flooded Zalis. Mated for mere moments and already he had errored.
“Your ankle is broken.” He closed his eyes, mortified that he had forgotten such basic information.
“It’s fine.”
“It is not.”
Picking his mate up was easy. She weighed nothing. Holding her and the crutch was a different matter. Was his grip too tight? Not tight enough? Did he hurt her ankle? Would he drop her?
Gemma shifted in his arms, clearly uncomfortable.
Perhaps her metabolism had burned through the pain medication. He should have insisted that she accept another dose before they left Medical.
They arrived at the newly assigned quarters. The door opened as he approached, allowing him to carry her over the threshold and set her down carefully on a chair.
The cabin was a standard family-sized unit, furnished adequately but not comfortably.
“You live here?” Gemma scanned the room, not expressing approval or disappointment.
“No.” Not yet. He had several personal projects, in addition to his gear and other items. The projects had several small parts that would be too difficult to transport without damaging or losing components. He should complete them first.
“So, umm, we should talk,” she said.
Ominous. Zalis was unsure what to make of that statement. He said, “Tomorrow. You are tired and in pain.”
“It’s not bad.”
Her elevated heart rate and the tension in the body claimed otherwise.
“The cleansing room is through there,” he said.
“A water shower or another sonic mist shower? Not that I’m picky.”
“Water.” A hot shower would help alleviate some of her pain. He wanted to request a supply of medication but remembered the way she refused a pill. His mother swore that a certain herbal tea helped her aching joints. Perhaps the blend would also be effective for a human.
“Perfect.” She made her way across the room with the crutch.
